So sorry I neglected everything. I think I'll stop promising things. Chapters will happen when they happen. Anyway, on another note, I did it you guys! This girl graduated last month! Shaboooooyaaahhhh! Lol. Now I'm relaxing for the summer and then college in the fall. Oh goody. Alright now for the thing you actually came here for.

Pepper's POV

"I guess I'll go" I bravely said.

"Um alright so you all know my parents right?"

A collective nod from the group and Sophie added "Yeah Joe and Cathy".

"Yeah and you know how I'm 'adopted' right?" I continued. Again more nods. "Well here's the truth. It all started when I was 4...

"I was coloring in my coloring book. I lived in Wuyuan, China. It was a small, beautiful rural town. Anyway my parents, my real parents Bo and Ju, walked in the kitchen arguing but this time it was bad. Infact, worse than I've ever seen. They stopped abruptly when they noticed I was there.

"Hi sweety. How about you go color upstairs in your room okay?" My mom, Ju said. I nodded and headed around the corner only to stop. I made sure I was in a good hiding spot so my parents couldn't see and so I could hear them.

"Ju there's just no way around this. I'm joining the army and there's nothing you can do to stop me. We need the money" Dad said with a hint of urgency in his voice.

"I agree we need the money but Bo what about your daughter? What if something happens? It's wrong to let her grow up without a father. It's so dangerous!" Mom pleaded.

"I'm tired of this argument. We've been at this for almost and hour. My decision is final. I'll sign up today!" Dad stated firmly as he started walking toward the living room. That's when I ran up the stairs just in time before my dad could see me. I saw him slam the door on his way out. At the time I didn't understand how dangerous it would all become. How that day lead to where I am now..." I choked up.

"I'm s-sorry yo-ou guys" I started tearing.

"It's ok Pepper, take your time" Sawyer comforted as both he held my hand and Sophie rubbed my back gently. With a deep breath I continued.

"A week went by until my father heard he was getting recruited. Of course I didn't understand any of this at the time. So when he told my mother and she frowned, I assumed something bad was happening. And even at such a young age, not understanding anything, I was right. I was hiding in my usual spot again.

"Ju I leave tomorrow. Please under any circumstance make sure to take care of our little Wen (my actual name). Ok? Just promise" my dad asserted with a hint of sadness. Hit tears silently fell down my mothers face and her eyes filled with dispair knowing she probably won't see him again.

"Bo I..." My mom started.

"Ju you need to be strong. No matter what happens to me, even if I die, I want to die knowing my wife and daughter are safe." My dad comforted.

"I know. I just wish it didn't have to happen this way. I love you so much, Bo always remember that. You are everything that I've ever hoped for." My mom finished as she gave him a kiss. That seemed very different to me. It wasn't passionate, it wasn't lust filled, it was a final goodbye filled with sadness but there was also a slight glint of hope. I went back to bed after that and by the time I woke up the next day my dad was gone.

For the next year, my dad was in and out at random times. Sometimes he'd be home for a week other times only a few hours. I never questioned anything.

One day there was news that the war seemed to be ending, that meant my dad would be coming home. But it was a hoax. Turns out the Koreans had a hidden plan to attack the Chinese. They planted bombs in various cities all around the country. Little did anyone know, there was one in my home town. It went off when I was playing with my mom in the back yard. It was close enough to knock us over and for small bits of ash and debris to fall on us. With sheer panick my mother grabbed me and started running. She grabbed her phone, emergency money, and a bag pre-filled with emergency items. She locked the door and just ran. All around, everyone was panicking. We made it to the end of the street where our car was parked (getting the spot in front of our house was never a guarantee).

My mother drove for hours and hours. Never stopping unless it was for gas or food or bathroom breaks. We were almost home free and out of China, only one last city to pass through... But something happened. My mom got into a car accident. It wasn't our fault, it was the other person. I got a nasty cut on my arm from the window breaking, which is where this scar came from" I pointed to my arm before continuing, "anyway, my mom was banged up pretty bad, bruises, cuts, and a sore neck. That's when she told me if anything happened to call Joe and tell him where I was. We didn't really have time for anything. After the accident we just left our car and took a bus that was headed to Europe. We were in Poland when our bus was hijacked. My mom gave me the phone and pushed open the back door enough for me to get out. It took all she had to look me in the eye and say "I love you, Wen. Remember what I told you. I want you to run as fast as you can. When you think you are safe call Joe. Everything will be alright, honey" with that she gave me a kiss, looked me over one last time, and shoved me out. The hijacker had a gun and was shooting everyone one by one. I ran without ever looking back. I ran and I ran. I stopped when I reached a safe looking restaurant and called Joe. It turned out Joe is a long lost cousin of my dads who was living in Poland and hour away from where I was. He came and got me. I became a part of their family "adopted".

Shortly after we moved here to Texas. I didn't know that was the last time I was ever going to see my mom and dad. No one survived that bus shooting. My dad, I'm not sure about but even if he's alive he wouldn't know where to find me. We came here to forget, to move on, to start fresh. I changed my name, became adopted for real, and started school here." I finished, tearing up.

No one spoke, no one made eye contact. Everyone was silent trying to find the right words to say. "Pepper... I'm so sorry" Sawyer comforted wrapping me up in a tight and secure hug. "I will always be here for you, Pepper. Starting now and always" he added rubbing my back. I cried for a while before speaking again. No one wanted to say anything because they knew no matter how hard they tried to comfort me there was just no way of telling me everything will be fine. I lost my parents. So I knew they weren't being rude.

"I'll be okay guys. Just no more silence. Someone please continue. I need a break. And I'm glad I was able to share this with you guys. It was really tough on me and in a way, even though it doesn't seem so, I feel better" I smiled for reassurance because it is true. I really do feel comfortable with them, they are my family. "You guys are my family" I repeated aloud.

With that everyone moved in to give me a hug. "Ok" Sophie spoke up,"I think.. If Pepper had the courage to say that I can have the courage to tell my story..."

Ok well that went different then I expected. Oh well. Um yeah. So. I know you guys are mad. Trust me if be too. I'll uh be back sometime. Peace.